Organised by the Centre for the Study of Democracy.
As Bhutan stands at the crossroads of several transformative opportunities, it is also navigating the delicate balance of tradition and modernity, sovereignty and regional integration, sustainability and innovation.
Set within the broader shifts of the Himalayan region, where climate vulnerability, youth aspirations, and geopolitical currents converge, Bhutan is seeking bold, values-aligned pathways for inclusive and resilient development.
Loden Tewa: Centre for Social Ventures is one such response from the bottom up. Positioned at the intersection of governance, economic innovation, and grassroots empowerment, Loden Tewa supports growth-stage social enterprises that are not only economically viable but purpose-driven. Rooted in Bhutanese values and the philosophy of Gross National Happiness, Loden Tewa aims to catalyse ventures that advance people, planet, and prosperity, aligning deeply with national strategies while opening doors to regional and global collaborations. Read more about Loden Tewa here: https://www.lodentewa.com/
Join us as we explore why Loden Tewa matters now, what it offers to Bhutan’s emerging economic future, and how it is cultivating a new generation of entrepreneurs to co-create a thriving, sustainable, and sovereign Bhutan.
About the speaker
Thinley Choden is the Founding CEO of Loden Tewa: Centre for Social Ventures and a serial social entrepreneur with over 20 years of lived experience. She leads a portfolio of initiatives at the intersection of entrepreneurship, climate action, education, gender, and youth, working across public and private sectors in Bhutan and internationally.
She has founded several ventures including the Centre for Sustainability Studies, a knowledge consultancy; Bhutan Tours and Travels, an impact travel company; and READ Bhutan, a global community development non-profit. Thinley is also an Echidna Scholar with the Brookings Institution and the Founding Curator of the Global Shapers Thimphu Hub.
Agenda
7.05–7.10pm: Welcome note by Professor Nitasha Kaul, Director, Centre for the Study of Democracy
7.05–7.10pm: Speaker introduction by Namgyel Wangchuk, PhD student
7.10–7.50pm: Talk by Thinley Choden
7.50–8.20pm: Q&A
8.20–9pm: Reception
Location
The Forum, 32–38 Wells Street, London W1T 3UW
